After the first article http://www.mbauniverse.com/article/id/7139/ in the Verbal series, this is the second expert article by Prof SK Agarwal, author and expert in Verbal Area, sharing the tips and tricks to solve five most important types of error correction questions.
Error correction in paragraphs and sentences is a very important part of Verbal Ability and the question types vary from year to year. For example, CAT 2012 did not ask the aspirants to re-write or correct the underlined sentences, although there were paragraphs from which correct or incorrect sentences had to be picked out. Wrong attempts on these two-three questions may take you out of the fray and the right attempts may enable you to enter your desired B-school. Fraction of the percentile counts, please remember.
Types of Questions with sample Exercises
Following Five types of questions, based on fundamentals of Grammar, Verb Agreements etc. in paragraphs and sentences may appear in CAT-2013. Questions on corrections in paragraphs appear year after year and sometimes CAT substitutes them with following other types as well. They require more and more practice and analysis. More practice using tips and tricks in right direction will definitely help you to perform better in this area but there is no time now to build your fundamentals
Type-1 spotting the errors in underlined Parts of sentences – The question consists of a sentence, a part of which is underlined. Four options (A, B, C, D) are given to replace the underlined clause. It can be a part of sentence, a phrase, an idiom with incorrect syntax, tense, verb or other grammatical errors which may or may not exist. Option A is same as the question. The test taker is directed to pick out the most appropriate option that should replace the underlined clause in terms of standard written English.
Q.1 Direction – Below are given the sentences in which a part or the complete sentences have been underlined. Four options follow each question. The first of these repeats the original; the other three are different. If you think the original is the best, choose option ‘A’, else pick out the most appropriate option which, in your view expresses the best way of writing Standard English.
Q.1 Although the proceedings went on for one year or so, we are not aware what were the verdict of the gentlemen of jury?
A. we are not aware what were the verdict of the gentlemen of jury?
B. we are not aware what the verdict of the gentlemen of jury were?
C. we are not aware what the verdict of the gentlemen of jury was.
D. we are not aware what was the verdict of the gentlemen of jury?
1.A 2. B 3. C 4. D
Q.2 – I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were allergic to chocolate. Had I known I would make you a vanilla birthday cake.
A. I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were allergic to chocolate. Had I known I would make you a vanilla birthday cake.
B. I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were allergic to chocolate. Had I known, I would be making you a vanilla birthday cake.
C. I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were allergic to chocolate. Had I known, I would have made you a vanilla birthday cake.
D. I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were allergic to chocolate. Had I known, I would had made you a vanilla birthday cake.
1.A 2.B 3.C 4.D
Q.1-Ans. 4.D- Explanation- ‘Jury’ is a collective noun, when the decision is collective it is supposed to be placed in singular number and should be followed by singular verb. However, in case the jury is divided in decision, we will write – The jury are divided in their verdict ( it indicates all the individual members of Jury)
Q.2Ans.-3.C – Unreal conditional in past of the past. No probability – If I had known OR Had I known mean the same and can be written either way; the requirement is that it must be placed in past perfect followed by a comma, main clause is to be placed with would/should/could/might+have+III form of the have.
Type-2 – Complete sentence is underlined
The question comprises an underlined sentence which may or may not be correct as per the rules of standard written English. Again, four options (A, B, C, D) are given to replace the underlined sentence. Option A is same as the question. The test taker is directed to pick out the most appropriate option that should replace the underlined sentence in terms of standard written English.
Sample Questions with answer explanations-
Q.1 If I have enough money I would backpack around Europe. But unfortunately I am broke.
A.If I have enough money I would backpack around Europe. But unfortunately I am broke.
B.If I have had enough money, I would backpack around Europe. But, unfortunately I am broke.
C.If I had enough money I would backpack around Europe. But, unfortunately I am broke.
D.If I had enough money, I would backpack around Europe. But, unfortunately, I am broke.
1.A 2.B 3.C 4.D
Q.2 My neighbour as well as his wife always discuss the family problems before me.
A. My neighbour as well as his wife always discuss the family problems before me.
B. My neighbour as well as his wife have always discussed the family problems before me.
C. My neighbour as well as his wife always discusses the family problems before me.
D. My neighbour as well as his wife are always discussing the family problems before me.
1. A 2. B 3. C 4. D
Q.1 Ans.– 4.D- unreal past conditional with little or negligible probability. Punctuation usage –comma- to be placed before and after the adverb unfortunately as the same has been used in the middle of the sentence. Had it been used in the beginning of the sentence, comma would have been required only after the said adverb.
Q.2 Ans. 3.C-Explanation- Compound word ‘as well as’ is followed by the verb and pronouns in accordance with the former (first) subject. We must write – The Principal as well as the teachers is coming; use of plural verb ‘are’ will be wrong
Type-3 -Re-writing of entire sentence. There is no underlined part of sentence. It may contain one error, multiple errors or no error. Four options (A, B, C, D) with the re-written sentence structure are given and the most appropriate one has to be picked out. There may be the direction to the aspirant in the beginning of the question like- ‘ if you think, sentence needs re-writing, do not waste your time reading option ‘A’ as it is same as the question’. Proceed accordingly as close reading of Option A is required in case, you find no error or unable to find any error in the question. In this case all the options are required to be closely read before marking the correct answer.
Sample Question with answers
Direction- Below is given a sentence which may or may not be correct as per the rules of standard written English. The sentence is followed by four options labelled A,B,C & D. Option A is the same as the question. If you think that that no improvement is required in the sentence, choose option A, else do not waste your time reading this option. Please select the most appropriate option, out of the four options given for the following sentence, which, in your view, should be the correct one in terms of rules of standard written English including usage of grammar, punctuation and spelling. Please note that the meaning & context of the sentence must not change.
Q.1 Although I know the answer already and he invited me to visit him often, since I just have seen her in the square, I am never determined to yield this point.
A.Although I know the answer already and he invited me to visit him often, since I just have seen her in the square, I am never determined to yield this point.
B.Although I have already known the answer and he invited me to visit him often but since I just have seen her in the square, I am never determined to yield this point.
C. Although I knew the answer already, and he has often invited me to visit him, since I just have seen her in the square, I am never determined to yield this point.
D. Although I already know the answer and he often invited me to visit him , since I have just seen her in the square, I am determined never to yield this point.
- A 2. B 3. C. 4.D
Ans-. 4. D - Explanation – Adverb modifies a verb/an adjective or an adverb. Place it before the verb i.e. ‘already know’, ‘often invited’, ‘have just seen’, ‘ determined never to yield this point – i.e. I will never compromise/surrender on this point, it is not ’never determined’ –it will mean –adverb never is giving emphasis on the determination of the subject ‘I’ besides this is the particular point which is never to be yielded.
Type-4 Marking the correct sentences in a paragraph – This question type consists of four sentences, forming a paragraph, out of them one or more sentences or all the sentences, may be correct. The options (A,B,C,D) are given accordingly and you are supposed to mark the most appropriate option that identifies the correct sentences in the paragraph.
Sample question with answer
Direction for question- In the following question please identity the sentence(s) or part(s) of sentence(s) that is/are correct in terms of grammar and usage (including spelling, punctuation and logical consistency). Choose the most appropriate option.
Q.1
A.If you couldn’t find my umbrella, you may tell me so that
B. I will ask someone over there to help me find out the same
C. As you know ,it is still raining cats and dogs outside this shelter,
D.and the gentleman, who has just dropped us to this bus shelter in his car, also left us.
E. Now we cannot do anything else but to wait for someone who can help us.
1.A&E 2. C&D 3. B,D&E 4.C&E 5. A&D
Answer- 4. C&E- Explanation -The correct sentences can be picked out, if you have clarity of rules of English Grammar, punctuation, spelling and tenses along with the syntax pattern for short and long sentences, as this type of error creates more confusion. So a good deal of practice is required of various parts of speech in grammar alongwith correct use of punctuation.
A. Incorrect - If you couldn’t find my umbrella, you might tell me so that (use might-Conditional if clause in past,main clause –would/should/could might+base verb)
B. Incorrect- I would ask someone over there to help me find out the same (use would- clause is connected to if clause, again the same structure- would/should/could might+base verb)
C.Correct- As you know ,it is still raining cats and dogs outside this shelter,( Cats & Dogs-use of idiom, verb is correct)
D. Incorrect -and the gentleman, who has just dropped us to this bus shelter in his car, has also left us(Incorrect, instead use- has left –parallel action “ has just dropped” “has left”. If the sentence were framed –“ and the gentleman who dropped us to this bus shelter in his car a few minutes ago, has also left”-it would be correct.
E. Correct-Now we can’t do anything else but to wait for someone who can help us. (Correct)
Type-5 -Marking the incorrect sentences in a paragraph-It is opposite to earlier one. Here also, you are given four sentences- the difference is that you have to mark the incorrect sentences, which may be one or more. Right choice of options can be exercised by following the rules of grammar, syntax and verbosity.
Sample Questions with answer
Direction-Q. 1 & 2 In each question there are four sentences or parts of sentences that form a paragraph. Identify the sentence(s) or part(s) that is/are incorrect in terms of grammar including, spelling, punctuation and usage. Pick out the most appropriate option, out of the options that follow the question
Q.1-
A. Did you hear that Margaret won $5,000/- in Las Vegas,
B. and she had used the money to buy a new washing machine and dryer?
C. How boring! If I had won that much money,
D. I would go to Niagara for a couple of weeks.
1.B only 2.B&D 3. A&B 4. C&D
Q.2
A. The hunter shot three tigers while in the forest but couldn’t lie
B. his hands on any of them as it transpired a cunning old man hid them
C. under wild bush in the forest. I suggest that when you get there
D. go into the third door on your right to see the old man.
1. A&B 2.A,B&C 3. B,C&D 4. A,C&D
Q.1 Answer– 2.B&D – simple past required – money could not be used before being won, so she used; D-Would have gone – C part of the para indicates unreal conditional in past of the past, therefore D part must be framed according to the rules.
Q.2 Answer- 2.A,B & C- A-couldn’t lay; B-it transpired that.. C- ‘that’ should not be used before ‘when’;
Important tips to approach the answer options
Your answers should conform to ‘Standard Written English’ as per British Language and not as per American English
Go for more exercises based on the concepts you have learnt along with other questions about which you know a little.
Use complete words and sentences in proper writing style. It will help you to spot the spelling and punctuation errors in sentences and paragraphs.
Avoid learning new concepts. For example use of certain compounds like ‘would rather’, ‘had better’ ‘no sooner’ ‘ I wish’ ‘If only’ etc., in case, is not known, must not be learnt now, as it may prove confusing and may have adverse affect on your preparation strategy. Similarly, if the concept of use of conditionals, dangling and misplaced modifier is clear, go for more exercises based on these concepts, else don’t try to learn them now.
Errors are sometimes very simple ones. In our anxiety to find out something big, we tend to skip them like use of singular, plural, punctuation marks, preposition, infinitive etc. the suggestion is to read attentively. Sometimes sentences, when spoken a little aloud, make you feel that something is awkward in their formation. So, be careful.
There may be one error, two errors or multiple errors in the paragraphs. You will be required to pick out the options that have the correct or incorrect sentences, in accordance with the direction given in the beginning of the question. Please therefore, never forget to carefully read the direction before going through the question else instead of finding out the correct sentences you may be tempted to find the incorrect ones and vice-versa.
concentrate on the shortest, aptly written option, having no grammatical error, as this may be the correct choice.
Already published article Part-1 http://www.mbauniverse.com/article/id/7139/ in the Verbal series-7 days to CAT described the solution tips on 6 types of LR problems and in the part-3 of the series I will guide you how to perform better in different types of Vocabulary questions, while Part-4 will focus on scoring high in Reading Comprehension. Those who missed the earlier article on Anticipated surprise questions in Verbal Ability should read it attentively by following the link http://www.mbauniverse.com/article/id/7137/
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